Auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators and power generator cluster

ABSTRACT

An auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators includes a stationary heating unit for absorbing solar energy to make works, a lens unit including a lens and a frame, a first driving unit connected to the frame and driving the frame, and a tracking unit electrically connected to the first driving unit and controlling the first driving unit to output power. The lens is fixed to the frame and focuses solar beam on the heating unit. The frame is movable along a curved track such that the lens always aims at the sun. Multiple auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators are arranged in matrix form so as to generate electric power.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators and power generator cluster, and more particularly, to a lens unit which moves along with the movement of the sun and collect the solar heat energy to drive heat engines to generate electric power and multiple auto-focusing devices to form a power generator cluster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Along with the severe pollution and globe warming, the use of fossil fuel is one of the main concerns today and clean energy is one of the fields that the scientists are developing for. The solar energy is an obvious choice that can replace the use of fossil fuel and the solar energy can be transferred to power to meet the requirements of the modern industrial needs.

There is a device for collect the solar energy by tracking the movement of the sun and obtain the maximum solar energy. The device includes a base, a solar panel, a curved rail and a lens, wherein the solar panel is connected to the top of the base and the curved rail is connected on two sides of the solar panel. The lens is movable along the curved rail so as to selectively move along with the sun to collect the sun beam at the desired position of the solar panel to increase the efficiency of the solar panel.

However, if the solar energy collected by the solar panel is used to make work such as to drive an engine, the energy has to be transferred several times and this process reduces the efficiency of the use of the energy. Although the conventional device has a curved rail, it can only provide two dimensional movement and cannot precisely track the sun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention intends to provide an auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators so as to improve the shortcomings of the conventional solar energy collection device.

The present invention relates to an auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators and comprises a stationary heating unit for absorbing solar energy to make works. A lens unit includes a lens and a frame, wherein the lens is fixed to the frame and focuses solar beam on the heating unit. The frame is movable along a curved track. A first driving unit is connected to the frame and drives the frame. A tracking unit is electrically connected to the first driving unit and controls the first driving unit to drive the position of the frame.

By the device, the lens always aims at the sun and the sun beams are focused at the heating unit so as to have the maximum heat collection feature to make the maximum work. The heating unit is stationary and saves energy of mutual movement between the parts. Besides, the heating unit is directly connected with a power generating device to generate electric power, or connected to a machine to make work to the machine.

The frame of the lens unit is connected to a rotary disk and a second driving unit is connected to the rotary disk. The second driving unit drives the rotary disk. The tracking unit is electrically connected to the second driving unit so as to control the second driving unit to drive the position of the rotary disk.

By this arrangement, the lens tracks the sun in three dimensional directions so that the lens can always aim at the sun.

Preferably, the device includes a central axle and the heating unit is mounted on the central axle. The central axle extends through the rotary disk which is rotatable about the central axle.

Preferably, the central axle is fixed to a base which is located beneath the rotary disk, and multiple wheels and legs are connected to an underside of the base.

Preferably, the heating unit is fixed to the central axle so that the heating unit, the lens unit and the rotary disk are connected together which is convenient for transportation. There are wheels connected to the base so as to conveniently set the frame at a desired position.

Preferably, the first driving unit is fixed to the rotary disk and includes a first motor, a first reduction unit and a first worm rod. The first motor is connected to the first reduction unit which is connected to the first worm rod. The first worm rod is connected to the frame.

Preferably, the frame of the lens unit includes a first post and a second post which is located at a distance form the first post. A link has two end gears connected to two ends thereof. The first post is connected to a first shaft which has two first transmission gears. The two first transmission gears are respectively connected to the first worm rod and one of the end gears. The second post is connected to a second shaft which has a second transmission gear. The second transmission gear is connected with the other end gear. The lens is connected to the first and second posts.

Preferably, the second driving unit is fixed to the underside of the base and includes a second motor, a second reduction unit, a second worm rod and a third shaft. The third shaft has two third transmission gears on two ends thereof. The second motor is connected to the second reduction unit which is connected with the second worm rod. The second worm rod is connected to one of the two third transmission gears. The third shaft extends through the base and is connected to the rotary disk.

Preferably, the first driving unit is connected to the rotary disk and the second driving unit is connected to the underside of the base, so that the structure is simplified and is connected as a one piece. The maintenance is easy because the transmission is made by gears.

Preferably, two solar panels are respectively connected to the first and second shafts and electrically connected to the first and second motors. Therefore, the device can be self powered by the solar power.

Preferably, the tracking unit can be a passive tracking data base which stores the track information of the sun, or the passive tracking data base includes a GPS system and updates the tracks of the sun. When the device is shifted to different locations, the GPS system is helpful to allocate the positions and set a correct coordinates to set the precise position of the device so as to aim at the sun. Alternatively, the tracking unit can be an active tracking sensor which receives the sun light and tracks the sun.

Preferably, the heating unit is an external combustion engine.

Preferably, a cover is used to mount to the auto-focusing device and protect the parts of the device when the device is not in use.

The present invention can also be a power generator cluster which comprises multiple auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators and the auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators are connected to a power plant. The auto-focusing devices each include a stationary heating unit for absorbing solar energy to make works. A lens unit includes a lens and a frame. The lens is fixed to the frame and focuses solar beam on the heating unit. The frame is movable along a curved track. A first driving unit is connected to the frame and drives the frame. A tracking unit is electrically connected to the first driving unit and controls the first driving unit to drive the position of the frame.

Preferably, the multiple auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators are arranged in matrix form.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the first driving unit of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows that the first driving unit is connected to the rotary disk of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the second driving unit of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the side view of the auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows that the lens unit is movable with the sun;

FIG. 7 shows the top view of the auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows that the rotary disk is rotated with the sun;

FIG. 9 shows that the cover is mounted to the auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators of the present invention, and

FIG. 10 shows the power generator cluster of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the auto-focusing device “A” for solar heat energy power generators of the present invention comprises a central axle 1 which is fixed to a base 2. Multiple wheels 21 and legs 22 are connected to an underside of the base 2.

A stationary heating unit 3 for absorbing solar energy to make works is mounted on the central axle 1. The heating unit 3 is an external combustion engine.

A rotary disk 4 has a rotary gear 41 which is connected to the central axle 1. Multiple rollers 42 are connected to an underside of the base 2 and contact the base 2. The central axle 1 extends through the rotary disk 4 which is rotatable about the central axle 1.

A lens unit 5 includes a lens 51 and a frame 52 which is fixed to the rotary disk 4. The frame 52 of the lens unit 5 includes a first post 521 and a second post 522 which is located at a distance form the first post 521. A link 523 has two end gears 524 connected to two ends thereof. The first post 521 is connected to a first shaft 525 which has two first transmission gears 526. The two first transmission gears 526 are respectively connected to a first worm rod 63 and one of , the end gears 524. The second post 522 is connected to a second shaft 527 which has a second transmission gear 528. The second transmission gear 528 is connected with the other end gear 524. The lens 51 is connected to the first and second posts 521, 522. The lens unit 51 is a Fresnel lens and focuses the sun beams on the heating unit 3. The whole lens unit 5 can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8.

A first driving unit 6 is connected to the frame 52 and drives the frame 52. The first driving unit 6 is fixed to the rotary disk 4 and includes a first motor 61, a first reduction unit 62 and the first worm rod 63. The first motor 61 is connected to the first reduction unit 62 which is connected to the first worm rod 63. The first worm rod 63 is connected to the other first transmission gear 526 on the first shaft 525 so that the frame 52 is moved along a curved track.

A second driving unit 7 is connected to the rotary disk 4 and drives the rotary disk 4. The second driving unit 7 is fixed to the underside of the base 2 and includes a second motor 71, a second reduction unit 72, a second worm rod 73 and a third shaft 74. The third shaft 74 has two third transmission gears 75 on two ends thereof. The second motor 71 is connected to the second reduction unit 72 which is connected with the second worm rod 73. The second worm rod 73 is connected to one of the two third transmission gears 75. The third shaft 74 extends through the base 2 and is connected to the rotary disk 4. The other third transmission gear 75 of the third shaft 74 is connected to the rotary gear 41 so that the rotary disk 4 is rotatable about the central axle 1.

A tracking unit 8 is electrically connected to the first motor 61 of the first driving unit 6 and the second motor 71 of the second driving unit 7. The tracking unit 8 is a passive tracking data base which stores the track information of the sun of different areas. The passive tracking data base may include a GPS system and updates the tracks of the sun. The GPS system set the correct position of the device and directly tracks the sun so that the users do not need to input the coordinates of the device when the device is moved to different positions. Alternatively, the tracking unit 8 is an active tracking sensor which receives the sun light and tracks the sun. The tracking unit 8 controls the output of the first and second motors 61, 71 according to the position of the sun to ensure that the lens 51 aims at the sun.

Two solar panels 9 are respectively connected to the first and second shafts 525, 527. The two solar panels 9 are electrically connected to the first and second motors 61, 71 so that the device is self-powered.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the tracking unit 8 controls the output of the first and second motors 61, 71 according to the position of the sun to ensure that the lens 51 aims at the sun. Because the sun moves slowly, so that the outputs from the first and second driving units 61, 71 are adjusted by the first and second reduction units 62, 72, the first and second worm rods 63, 73 then transfer directions of the reduced outputs to the first transmission gear 526 which delivers the power to the first post 521. The end gear 524 sends the output to the second post 522 via the second transmission gear 528. Therefore, the lens 51 moves by the first and second posts 521, 522. The third transmission gear 75 delivers the output to the rotary disk 4 and the rollers 42 assist the rotary disk 4 to rotate smoothly so that the energy of the sun is focused to the heating unit 3. By the operation of the rotary disk 4 and the frame 52, the lens 51 has two degrees of freedom, when cooperated with the top space, the lens 51 can be moved in three dimensions and always aims at the sun to have the maximum result. The electric power of the first and second motors 61, 71 are from the solar panel 9 so that the device can be self-powered. Preferably, a battery (not shown) is connected with the solar panel 9 to save the electric power.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the device is not in use in the night or in severe weather conditions, a cover 10 is used to mount to the auto-focusing device to protect the lens 51 and other parts.

Referring to FIG. 10, the multiple auto-focusing devices “A” for solar heat energy power generators are connected to a power plant “A1” so as to generate significant clean electric power. The multiple auto-focusing devices “A” for solar heat energy power generators are arranged in matrix form so as to easily manage and save space.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An auto-focusing device for solar heat energy power generators, comprising: a stationary heating unit for absorbing solar energy to make works; a lens unit including a lens and a frame, the lens being fixed to the frame and focusing solar beam on the heating unit, the frame being movable along a curved track; a first driving unit connected to the frame and driving the frame, and a tracking unit electrically connected to the first driving unit and controlling the first driving unit to drive the position of the frame.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame of the lens unit is connected to a rotary disk and a second driving unit is connected to the rotary disk, the second driving unit drives the rotary disk, the tracking unit is electrically connected to the second driving unit so as to control the second driving unit to drive the position of the rotary disk.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a central axle and the heating unit mounted on the central axle, the central axle extending through the rotary disk which is rotatable about the central axle.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the central axle is fixed to a base which is located beneath the rotary disk, multiple wheels and legs are connected to an underside of the base.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first driving unit is fixed to the rotary disk and includes a first motor, a first reduction unit and a first worm rod, the first motor is connected to the first reduction unit which is connected to the first worm rod, the first worm rod is connected to the frame.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame of the lens unit includes a first post and a second post which is located at a distance form the first post, a link has two end gears connected to two ends thereof , the first post is connected to a first shaft which has two first transmission gears, the two first transmission gears are respectively connected to the first worm rod and one of the end gears, the second post is connected to a second shaft which has a second transmission gear, the second transmission gear is connected with the other end gear, the lens is connected to the first and second posts.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second driving unit is fixed to the underside of the base and includes a second motor, a second reduction unit, a second worm rod and a third shaft, the third shaft has two third transmission gears on two ends thereof, the second motor is connected to the second reduction unit which is connected with the second worm rod, the second worm rod is connected to one of the two third transmission gears, the third shaft extends through the base and is connected to the rotary disk.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotary disk has a rotary gear which is connected to the central axle and connected to the other third transmission gear.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotary disk has multiple rollers connected to an underside thereof and contacting the base.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein two solar panels are respectively connected to the first and second shafts, the two solar panels are electrically connected to the first and second motors.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tracking unit is a passive tracking data base which stores the track information of the sun.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the passive tracking data base includes a GPS system and updates the tracks of the sun.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tracking unit is an active tracking sensor which receives the sun light and tracks the sun.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is an external combustion engine.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover which is mounted to the auto-focusing device.
 16. A power generator cluster, comprising: multiple auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators which are connected to a power plant, the auto-focusing devices each including a stationary heating unit and absorbing solar energy to make works; a lens unit including a lens and a frame, the lens being fixed to the frame and focusing solar beam on the heating unit, the frame being movable along a curved track; a first driving unit connected to the frame and driving the frame; and a tracking unit electrically connected to the first driving unit and controlling the first driving unit to drive the position of the frame.
 17. The generator cluster as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multiple auto-focusing devices for solar heat energy power generators are arranged in matrix form. 